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Do you need to change your boot device order or reset your system clock? The BIOS or UEFI (the updated version of the BIOS) is the place for you. The BIOS or UEFI controls all of the low-level functions of your PC, and you'll need to access it if you want to make any changes. Accessing the BIOS or UEFI varies from computer to computer, but the basic process is the same. This wikiHow teaches you how to access the BIOS or UEFI on any PC.

Steps

Method 1 of 3:

Using Windows 10

1

Open your Windows Settings

. You'll find it in the Start menu. As long as you are able to access your Windows desktop, you should be able to enter the UEFI/BIOS without worrying about pressing special keys at boot time.[1]XResearch source

Entering the BIOS requires you to restart your PC. Save your work and shut down other programs before you continue with this method.

2

Click Update & Security. It's the icon of two curved arrows.

3

Click the Recovery tab. It's in the left column.

4

Click Restart Now under "Advanced startup." It's in the right panel, although you may need to scroll down a little to find this button.

5

Click Troubleshoot on the menu. Additional menu options will appear.

6

Click UEFI Firmware Settings. It's the icon of a microchip with a gear on it. A confirmation screen will appear.

Reboot your computer. If you're using an earlier version of Windows or weren't able to use the steps in the Windows 10 or Windows 8 and 8.1 methods, you can enter the BIOS by pressing a special key on your keyboard right after the computer restarts.

Entering the BIOS requires you to restart your PC. Save your work and shut down other programs before you continue with this method.

Press the Setup key repeatedly. As soon as you see the manufacturer’s logo, press the key indicated on the screen to enter Setup or BIOS. They key you'll need to use varies by manufacturer and model. Keep pressing it over and over again until you enter the BIOS.

Here's a list of some of the most common setup keys by manufacturer:

Acer: F2 or DEL

ASUS: F2 or Del

Dell: F2 or F12

HP: ESC or F10

Lenovo: F2 or Fn + F2

Lenovo Desktops: F1

Lenovo ThinkPads: Enter + F1.

MSI: DEL for motherboards and PCs

Microsoft Surface Tablets: Press and hold the volume-up button.

Origin PC: F2

Samsung: F2

Sony: F1, F2, or F3

Toshiba: F2

If you don’t hit the key in time, Windows will load and you will have to reboot and retry.

The operating system is irrelevant. Google your PC manufacturer or motherboard to find out what key to press on your keyboard. Once you know it, reboot your PC and press the key to enter the BIOS as soon as your PC powers on and the logo of your manufacturer shows.

References

About This Article

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wikiHow Technology Team

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time.